Operation system for outdoor umbrella

ABSTRACT

An outdoor umbrella includes an umbrella frame, an awning element, and an operation system. The umbrella frame includes a supporting frame and an awning frame adapted to fold between an opened position and a closed position. The operation system includes an operational controller supported at the supporting frame, a pulley unit supported within the umbrella frame in a hidden manner; and an elongated controlling element running from the operational controller to the awning frame through the pulley unit and defining an operation length between the operational controller and the awning frame. When the operational controller is actuated to shorten the operation length of the controlling element, the awning frame is pivotally folded at the closed position. When the operational controller is actuated to extend the operation length of the controlling element, the awning frame is pivotally folded at the opened position.

BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The present invention relates to an outdoor umbrella, and moreparticularly to an outdoor umbrella with an operation system, whichenhances the folding operation of the outdoor umbrella and simplifiesthe operation structure of the outdoor umbrella.

2. Description of Related Arts

A conventional outdoor umbrella is usually composed of an umbrella framewhich comprises supporting frame and an awning frame movably supportedon the supporting frame, and an awning fabric supported on the awningframe for proving shade under the awning fabric. Conventionally, theoutdoor umbrella is usually foldable so that when it is not in use, theoutdoor umbrella can be folded into a compact size for convenienttransport and storage.

People usually use the conventional outdoor umbrella for a wide varietyof outdoor activities. For example, people may use the outdoor umbrelladuring camping for providing some sort of shielding from sunlight. Theawning can be opened and closed through the operational controller.However, there is a conflict between opening and closing the awningeasily and the stability of securely locking the umbrella. For instance,if people can open and close the outdoor umbrella easily, the stabilityof opening umbrella can not be guaranteed. On the other hand, if theoutdoor umbrella has a very good securing mechanism, it usually needsmore force to open the umbrella. As a result, they may use their ownlocking mechanism and this may create great trouble when opening theumbrella.

Accordingly, an operation system incorporating with a gear mechanism iscommonly used in the outdoor umbrella. The operation system generallycomprises a plurality of gears supported within the supporting frame andthe awning frame respectively such that when a rotational force isapplied at an initial gear, the consequent gears are driven to rotate topivotally fold the awning frame between the opened position and theclosed position. However, such operation system has several drawbacks.

The overall size of the outdoor umbrella is relatively large that theumbrella frame must provide relatively large installation space for thegears supporting therewithin. In other words, the tubular structure ofthe umbrella frame must large enough to receive the gears inside theinterior of the umbrella frame. If a smaller size of the gear is used tofit inside the umbrella frame, the operation of the outdoor umbrellarequires relatively large rotational force to drive the outdoor umbrellabetween the opened and closed position.

In addition, the gear must be provided at each of the cornering portionsof the outdoor umbrella to transmit the rotational force from onedirection to another direction. Accordingly, different types of gear,such as bevel gears, cogs, and helical gears, must be incorporated witheach other to transmit the rotational force from the supporting frame tothe awning frame. Therefore, the manufacturing process of the operationsystem is relatively complicated and the manufacturing cost of theoperation system is relatively high.

The maintenance of the outdoor umbrella is costly and hassle. The usermust frequently apply lubricant to the gears to reduce the frictionthereamong. However, the gears are embedded in the umbrella frame suchthat the user must disassemble the umbrella frame to apply the lubricantat the gears. Thus, when the gears involve high speeds or large powertransmission, noise abatement is important.

As a matter of fact, except for easily opening and closing the umbrella,securely locking has become a virtually universal problem formanufacturers to develop the new generation outdoor umbrella. Theconventional outdoor umbrella needs to consider how to securely andeasily lock the awning arms.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

A main object of the present invention is to provide an outdoor umbrellawith an operation system, which enhances the folding operation of theoutdoor umbrella by means of pulley system.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an operationsystem for the outdoor umbrella, wherein the operational force forfolding the outdoor umbrella is directionally transmitted through thecontrolling element. In other words, the controlling element is extendedalong each of the cornering portions of the outdoor umbrella to transmitthe operation force from one direction to another direction. Therefore,the operation system simplifies the operation structure of the outdoorumbrella.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an operationsystem for the outdoor umbrella, wherein the operation pulleys aresupported within the umbrella frame of the outdoor umbrella for guidingthe directions of the controlling element such that the overall size ofthe outdoor umbrella can be significantly reduced by using the smallersize of the operation pulley without compensating the loss of theoperation force.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an operationsystem for the outdoor umbrella, wherein the folding operation of theoutdoor umbrella is smooth and stable. Noise abatement is one of thefeatures that the operation system of the present invention can achieve.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an operationsystem for the outdoor umbrella, wherein the operation system can becontrolled by an operational controller for generating the operationalforce so as to maximize the ease of operation of the operation system onthe outdoor umbrella.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an operationsystem for the outdoor umbrella, wherein the operational controller canbe a hand crank or a motor crank, such that the user is able to controlthe folding operation manually or automatically.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an operationsystem for the outdoor umbrella, wherein the operation system requiresrelatively less operational force to fold the outdoor umbrella betweenthe opened and closed positions via the pulley structure.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an operationsystem for the outdoor umbrella, wherein the operation system isinstalled into the umbrella frame in a hidden manner to maintain themaximum life span and optimal aesthetic appearance of the outdoorumbrella.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an operationsystem for the outdoor umbrella, which does not require to alter theoriginal structural design of the outdoor umbrella to install theoperation pulleys therein, so as to minimize the manufacturing cost ofthe outdoor umbrella incorporating with the operation system.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an operationsystem for the outdoor umbrella, wherein no expensive or complicatedstructure is required to employ in the present invention in order toachieve the above mentioned objects. Therefore, the present inventionsuccessfully provides an economic and efficient solution for providing arigid and stable configuration for folding operation of the outdoorumbrella.

Accordingly, in order to accomplish the above objects, the presentinvention provides an outdoor umbrella, comprising:

an umbrella frame which comprises a supporting frame and an awningframe, suspendedly supported by the supporting frame, wherein the awningframe is adapted to fold between an opened position and a closedposition;

an awning element supported by the awning frame to define a shading areaunderneath the awning element when the awning frame is folded at theopened position; and

an operation system, comprising:

an operational controller supported at the supporting frame;

a pulley unit supported within the umbrella frame in a hidden manner;and

an elongated controlling element running from the operational controllerto the awning frame through the pulley unit and defining an operationlength between the operational controller and the awning frame, whereinwhen the operational controller is actuated to shorten the operationlength of the controlling element, the awning frame is pivotally foldedat the opened position, and when the operational controller is actuatedto extend the operation length of the controlling element, the awningframe is pivotally folded at the closed position.

These and other objectives, features, and advantages of the presentinvention will become apparent from the following detailed description,the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an outdoor umbrella with an operationsystem according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the operation system of the outdoorumbrella according to the above preferred embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the lower housing of the outdoor umbrellaaccording to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates an alternative mode of the operation system for theoutdoor umbrella according to the above preferred embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the alternative operation system of theoperation system according to the above preferred embodiment of thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIG. 1 of the drawings, an outdoor umbrella according to apreferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated, in whichthe umbrella frame comprises an umbrella frame 10, an awning element 20,and an operation system 30.

The umbrella frame 10 comprises a supporting frame 11 and an awningframe 12, suspendedly supported by the supporting frame 11, wherein theawning frame 12 is adapted to fold between an opened position and aclosed position. The awning element 20, which is made of waterproof andUV blocking fabric, is supported by the awning frame 12 to define ashading area underneath the awning element 20 when the awning frame 11is folded at the opened position.

The operation system 30 comprises an operational controller 31 supportedat the supporting frame 11 and a pulley unit 32 supported within theumbrella frame 10 in a hidden manner. The operation system 30 furthercomprises an elongated controlling element 33 running from theoperational controller 31 to the awning frame 12 through the pulley unit32 and defining an operation length between the operational controller31 and the awning frame 12, wherein when the operational controller 31is actuated to shorten the operation length of the controlling element33, the awning frame 12 is pivotally folded at the opened position, andwhen the operational controller 31 is actuated to extend the operationlength of the controlling element 33, the awning frame 12 is pivotallyfolded at the closed position.

According to the preferred embodiment, the supporting frame 11 comprisesa ground stand 111 and a supporting shaft 112 is upwardly extended fromthe ground stand 111 to support the awning frame 12.

The awning frame 12 comprises an upper housing 121 coupling with thesupporting shaft 112, a lower housing 122 positioned below the upperhousing 121, a plurality of awning arms 123 radially and pivotallyextended from the upper housing 121 to support the awning element 20,and a plurality of folding arms 124 radially and pivotally extended fromthe lower housing 122 to pivotally couple with the awning arms 123. Asshown in FIG. 1, the supporting frame 11 further comprises an extensionframe 113 extended from the supporting shaft 112 to the upper housing121.

Accordingly, when the lower housing 122 is upwardly lifted towards theupper housing 121, the awning arms 123 are outwardly and pivotallyfolded to extend the awning arms 123 from the upper housing 121 so as tofold the awning frame 12 at the opened position. When the lower housing122 is downwardly dropped from the upper housing 121, the awning arms123 are downwardly and pivotally folded to minimize the shading area soas to fold the awning frame 12 at the closed position.

The pulley unit 32 comprises a first operation pulley 321 rotatablysupported in an upper portion of the awning frame 12 and a secondoperation pulley 322 rotatably supported in a lower portion of theawning frame 12 to align with the first operation pulley 321, whereinthe controlling element 33 runs between the first and second operationpulleys 321, 322.

As shown in FIG. 2, the first operation pulley 321 is rotatablysupported in the upper housing 121 while a second operation pulley 322is rotatably supported in the lower housing 122, wherein the controllingelement 33 runs between the first and second operation pulleys 321, 322to drive the lower housing 122 in a vertically movable displacement.Accordingly, each of the first and second operation pulleys 321, 322 isa rotational wheel with a groove between two flanges around itscircumference such that the controlling element 33 is extended toslidably engage with the grooves of the first and second operationpulleys 321, 322, as shown in FIG. 3. A diameter of the first pulley 321equals to a diameter of the second pulley 322 such that the first andsecond operation pulleys 321, 322 are aligned with each other.

As shown in FIG. 2, the upper housing 121 has an upper housingcompartment 1211 and comprises an enlarged upper body 1212 for theawning arms 123 pivotally and radially extending therefrom and a tubularlower body 1213 downwardly extended from the upper body 1212, whereinthe first operation pulley 321 is rotatably supported in the upperhousing compartment 1211.

The lower housing 122 has a lower housing compartment 1221 for thesecond operation pulley 322 rotatably supporting therewithin, and aretention socket 1222 upwardly extended to align with the lower body1213 of the upper housing 121. When the outdoor umbrella 10 is folded atthe closed position, the lower housing 122 is suspendedly supportedbelow the upper housing 121. When the lower housing 122 is upwardlylifted to fold the awning frame 12 at the opened position, the bottomportion of the lower body 1213 is biased against the retention socket1222. Therefore, when the lower housing 122 is engaged with the upperhousing 121, the lower housing 122 is blocked for preventing a furtherupward movement so as to retain the awning frame 12 at the openedposition.

The controlling element 33, which is embodied as a durable cable, has afirst end 331 affixed to the operational controller 31 and a second end332 extended through the umbrella frame 10 to affix at the awning frame12. According to the preferred embodiment, the controlling element 33runs within the interiors of the supporting shaft 112, the extensionframe 113, the upper housing 121, and the lower housing 122, such thatthe controlling element 33 is extended through the umbrella frame 10 ina hidden manner. In other words, the pulley unit 32 and the controllingelement 33 are embedded within the umbrella frame 10 to maintain themaximum life span and optimal aesthetic appearance of the outdoorumbrella.

As shown in FIG. 2, the second end 332 of the controlling element 33 isaffixed to the upper housing 121 of the awning frame 12, wherein asecond end portion of the controlling element 33 is downwardly extendedfrom the first operation pulley 321 at the upper housing 121 to thesecond operation pulley 322 at the lower housing 122 and is then made adetour to return back to the upper housing 121 to affix the second end332 of the controlling element 33 to the upper housing 121. The secondend portion of the controlling element 33 is extended through the upperhousing compartment 1211 of the upper housing 121 from the upper body1212 to the lower body 1213 and is then extended through the lowerhousing compartment 1221 from the retention socket 1222.

Accordingly, the second end portion of the controlling element 33 iswound between the first and second operation pulleys 321, 322 to definetwo parallel tension sections as shown in FIG. 2. Having the structuralconfiguration, the first and second operation pulleys 321, 322 canchange the direction of the force along the controlling element 33 tomove the lower housing 122 at the vertically movable manner.

Therefore, when the controlling element 33 is pulled, the lower housing122 is lifted upwardly by the second end portion of the controllingelement 33 via the first and second operation pulleys 321, 322 to foldthe awning frame 12 at the opened position. Likewise, when the pullingforce of the controlling element 33 is released, the weight of the lowerhousing 122 is dropped downwardly to fold the awning 12 at the closedposition. The pulley unit 32 can simplify the structural configurationof the outdoor umbrella and enhance the folding operation of the outdoorumbrella so as to provide a stable folding operation of the awning frame12.

According to the preferred embodiment, the operational controller 31,which is a manual hand operation device, comprises a rotator wheelrotatably supported at the supporting shaft 112 at a hand-reachablelocation and a hand crank device coupling with the rotator wheel,wherein the first end 331 of the controlling element 33 is affixed tothe rotator wheel in such a manner that when the hand crank device ismanually actuated to drive the rotator wheel to rotate at one rotationaldirection, a first end portion of the controlling element 33 is wound upat the rotator wheel to shorten the controlling length of thecontrolling element 33 so as to apply the pulling force therealong forfolding the awning frame 12 at the opened position. Having thestructural configuration between the first and second operation pulleys321, 322, the awning frame 23 can be smoothly folded at the openedposition while being force effective. According to the theory of theconservation of energy, the product of the weight lifted times thedistance it is moved is equal to the product of the lifting force.Having the controlling length of the controlling element 33, theoperation system 30 requires less force, and therefore less effort isrequired for folding operation.

When the hand crank device is manually actuated to drive the rotatorwheel to rotate at an opposed rotational direction, the first endportion of the controlling element 33 is unwound at the rotator wheel toextend the controlling length of the controlling element 33 so as tofold the awning frame 12 at the closed position. It is worth to mentionthat the hand crank device is releasably locked at the rotator wheelsuch that when the first end portion of the controlling element 33 iswounded at the rotator wheel, the rotator wheel is locked by the handcrank device to prevent the first end portion of the controlling element33 being unwound accidentally. In other words, the user mustintentionally actuate the hand crank device to wind up or unwind thefirst end portion of the controlling element 33 at the rotator wheel.

As shown in FIG. 1, the pulley unit 32 further comprises a plurality ofguiding pulleys 323 spacedly supported in the umbrella frame 10 to guidethe controlling element 33 being directionally extended from thesupporting frame 11 to the awning frame 12. Accordingly, since theumbrella frame 10 incorporates with a plurality of pivot hinges toenable the awning frame 12 to pivotally fold at different orientationsand between the opened and closed position, the controlling element 33must be guided to detour from the supporting frame 11 to the awningframe 12 at different directions. As shown in FIG. 1, one of the guidingpulleys 323 is rotatably supported at the upper portion of thesupporting shaft 112 to detour the controlling element 33 from thesupporting shaft 112 to the extension frame 113. Another guiding pulley323 is rotatably supported at the upper housing 121 to detour thecontrolling element 33 from the extension frame 113 to the upper housing121. Two of the guiding pulleys 323 are spacedly and rotatably supportedwithin the extension frame 113 to detour the controlling element 33extending along the extension frame 113. Therefore, having the guidingpulleys 323 at the desired locations of the umbrella frame 10, thecontrolling element 33 can be simply made a detour to extend from theoperational controller 31 to the awning frame 12.

It is worth to mention that the first and second operation pulleys 321,322, and the guiding pulleys 323 are all stationary pulleys.

The upper housing 121 has an upper housing compartment 1211 andcomprises an enlarged upper body 1212 which is supporting the firstoperation pulley 231A thereat and is pivotally coupling the awning arms123, and a tubular lower body 1213 downwardly extended from the upperbody 1212 to support the third operation pulley 234A at the lower body1213. The lower housing 122 has a lower housing compartment 1221supporting the second operation pulley 232A thereat and a retentionsocket 1222 upwardly extended to align with the lower body 1213 of theupper housing 121, such that when the lower housing 122 is upwardlylifted to fold the awning frame 12 at the opened position, a bottomportion of the lower body 1213 is biased against the retention socket1222.

FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate an alternative mode of the operation system30A, wherein the pulley unit 32A comprises a first operation pulley 321Arotatably supported in an upper portion of the awning frame 12, a secondoperation pulley 322 rotatably supported in a lower portion of theawning frame 12, and a third operation pulley 324A rotatably supportedin the upper portion of the awning frame 12 at a position below thefirst operation pulley 321A. The controlling element 33 runs among thefirst, second, and third operation pulleys 321A, 322A, 324A.

The first and third operation pulleys 321A, 324A are rotatably andspacedly supported in the upper housing 121 while the second operationpulley 322A is rotatably supported in the lower housing 122. In otherwords, the third operation pulley 324A is positioned between the firstand second operation pulleys 321A, 322A, as shown in FIG. 5. The first,second, and third operation pulleys 321A, 322A, 324A are stationarypulleys.

Accordingly, the second end 332 of the controlling element 33 is affixedto the lower housing 122 of the awning frame 12, wherein the controllingelement 33 from the first operation pulley 321A to the third operationpulley 324A through the second operation pulley 322A to drive the lowerhousing 122 in a vertically movable displacement. As shown in FIG. 5,the second end portion of the controlling element 33 is downwardlyextended from the first operation pulley 321A at the upper housing 121to the second operation pulley 322A at the lower housing 122 and is thenmade a detour to return back to the upper housing 121. Then, the secondend portion of the controlling element 22 is upwardly extended to thethird operation pulley 324A and is then made a detour to return back tothe lower housing 122 to affix the second end 332 of the controllingelement 33 to the lower housing 122. Preferably, a diameter of each ofthe first and second pulleys 321A, 322A is larger than a diameter of thethird pulley 324A. wherein the first and second operation pulleys 321A,322A are aligned with each other along the vertical axis between theupper and lower housings 121, 122. Alternatively, the third operationpulley 324 is positioned slightly offset from the alignment between thefirst and second operation pulleys 321A, 322A. As shown in FIG. 5, thefirst and second operation pulleys 321A, 322A are aligned with eachother while the third operation pulley 324A is slightly offset betweenthe first and second operation pulleys 321A, 322A. It is worth tomention that the third operation pulley 324A is used as a forcedirectional guider to change the direction of the pulling force alongthe controlling element 33. Thus, having the third operation pulley324A, the awning frame 23 can be smoothly folded at the opened positionwhile being force effective.

FIG. 4 also illustrates an alternative mode of the operationalcontroller 31A, wherein the operational controller 31A is embodied as anautomatic switch electrically connected with a power source toautomatically control the folding operation of the awning frame 12.Accordingly, the operational controller 31A comprises a rotator wheelpowered by an electric motor to drive the rotator wheel to rotate,wherein the first end 331 of the controlling element 33 is affixed tothe rotator wheel of the operational controller 31A. As it is mentionedabove, the rotator wheel is manually driven by the hand crank device tocontrol the folding operation of the awning frame 12. Having the samestructural configuration, the rotator wheel is automatically driven bythe electric motor to control the folding operation of the awning frame12. Therefore, the user is able to control the folding operation bypressing a button of the automatic switch.

One skilled in the art will understand that the embodiment of thepresent invention as shown in the drawings and described above isexemplary only and not intended to be limiting.

It will thus be seen that the objects of the present invention have beenfully and effectively accomplished. It embodiments have been shown anddescribed for the purposes of illustrating the functional and structuralprinciples of the present invention and is subject to change withoutdeparture from such principles. Therefore, this invention includes allmodifications encompassed within the spirit and scope of the followingclaims.

1. An outdoor umbrella, comprising: an umbrella frame which comprises asupporting frame and an awning frame, suspendedly supported by saidsupporting frame, wherein said awning frame is adapted to fold betweenan opened position and a closed position; an awning element supported bysaid awning frame to define a shading area underneath said awningelement when said awning frame is folded at said opened position; and anoperation system, comprising: an operational controller supported atsaid supporting frame; a pulley unit supported within said umbrellaframe in a hidden manner; and an elongated controlling element runningfrom said operational controller to said awning frame through saidpulley unit and defining an operation length between said operationalcontroller and said awning frame, wherein when said operationalcontroller is actuated to shorten said operation length of saidcontrolling element, said awning frame is pivotally folded at saidopened position, and when said operational controller is actuated toextend said operation length of said controlling element, said awningframe is pivotally folded at said closed position.
 2. The outdoorumbrella, as recited in claim 1, wherein said controlling element, whichis embodied as a durable cable, has a first end affixed to saidoperational controller and a second end extended through an interior ofsaid umbrella frame to affix at said awning frame.
 3. The outdoorumbrella, as recited in claim 1, wherein said awning frame comprises anupper housing coupling with said supporting frame, a lower housingpositioned below said upper housing, and a plurality of awning armsradially and pivotally extended from said upper housing to support saidawning element, wherein said controlling element runs between said upperand lower housings to control a vertical movement of said lower housingthat when said lower housing is upwardly lifted towards said upperhousing, said awning arms are outwardly and pivotally folded to foldsaid awning frame at said opened position, and when said lower housingis downwardly dropped from said upper housing, said awning arms aredownwardly and pivotally folded to fold said awning frame at said closedposition.
 4. The outdoor umbrella, as recited in claim 2, wherein saidawning frame comprises an upper housing coupling with said supportingframe, a lower housing positioned below said upper housing, and aplurality of awning arms radially and pivotally extended from said upperhousing to support said awning element, wherein said controlling elementruns between said upper and lower housings to control a verticalmovement of said lower housing that when said lower housing is upwardlylifted towards said upper housing, said awning arms are outwardly andpivotally folded to fold said awning frame at said opened position, andwhen said lower housing is downwardly dropped from said upper housing,said awning arms are downwardly and pivotally folded to fold said awningframe at said closed position.
 5. The outdoor umbrella, as recited inclaim 1, wherein said pulley unit comprises a first operation pulleyrotatably supported in an upper portion of said awning frame and asecond operation pulley rotatably supported in a lower portion of saidawning frame to align with said first operation pulley, wherein saidcontrolling element is guided to run between said first and secondoperation pulleys.
 6. The outdoor umbrella, as recited in claim 2,wherein said pulley unit comprises a first operation pulley rotatablysupported in an upper portion of said awning frame and a secondoperation pulley rotatably supported in a lower portion of said awningframe to align with said first operation pulley, wherein saidcontrolling element is guided to run between said first and secondoperation pulleys.
 7. The outdoor umbrella, as recited in claim 4,wherein said pulley unit comprises a first operation pulley rotatablysupported in an upper portion of said awning frame and a secondoperation pulley rotatably supported in a lower portion of said awningframe to align with said first operation pulley, wherein saidcontrolling element is guided to run between said first and secondoperation pulleys.
 8. The outdoor umbrella, as recited in claim 7,wherein said first and second operation pulleys are rotatably supportedupper and lower housings respectively, wherein said second end of saidcontrolling element is affixed to said upper housing, wherein a secondend portion of said controlling element is downwardly extended from saidfirst operation pulley at said upper housing to said second operationpulley at said lower housing and is then made a detour to return back tosaid upper housing to affix said second end of said controlling elementto said upper housing.
 9. The outdoor umbrella, as recited in claim 7,wherein said pulley unit further comprises a plurality of guidingpulleys spacedly supported in said umbrella frame to guide saidcontrolling element being directionally extended from said supportingframe to said awning frame.
 10. The outdoor umbrella, as recited inclaim 8, wherein said pulley unit further comprises a plurality ofguiding pulleys spacedly supported in said umbrella frame to guide saidcontrolling element being directionally extended from said supportingframe to said awning frame.
 11. The outdoor umbrella, as recited inclaim 9, wherein said first and second operation pulleys and saidguiding pulleys are stationary pulleys.
 12. The outdoor umbrella, asrecited in claim 10, wherein said first and second operation pulleys andsaid guiding pulleys are stationary pulleys.
 13. The outdoor umbrella,as recited in claim 8, wherein said upper housing has an upper housingcompartment supporting said first operation pulley thereat and comprisesan enlarged upper body for said awning arms pivotally and radiallyextending therefrom and a tubular lower body downwardly extended fromsaid upper body, wherein said lower housing has a lower housingcompartment supporting said second operation pulley thereat and aretention socket upwardly extended to align with said lower body of saidupper housing, such that when said lower housing is upwardly lifted tofold said awning frame at said opened position, a bottom portion of saidlower body is biased against said retention socket.
 14. The outdoorumbrella, as recited in claim 12, wherein said upper housing has anupper housing compartment supporting said first operation pulley thereatand comprises an enlarged upper body for said awning arms pivotally andradially extending therefrom and a tubular lower body downwardlyextended from said upper body, wherein said lower housing has a lowerhousing compartment supporting said second operation pulley thereat anda retention socket upwardly extended to align with said lower body ofsaid upper housing, such that when said lower housing is upwardly liftedto fold said awning frame at said opened position, a bottom portion ofsaid lower body is biased against said retention socket.
 15. The outdoorumbrella, as recited in claim 1, wherein said pulley unit comprises afirst operation pulley rotatably supported in an upper portion of saidawning frame, a second operation pulley rotatably supported in a lowerportion of said awning frame to align with said first operation pulley,and a third operation pulley rotatably supported in said upper portionof said awning frame at a position below said first operation pulley,wherein said controlling element is guided to run among said first,second, and third operation pulleys.
 16. The outdoor umbrella, asrecited in claim 2, wherein said pulley unit comprises a first operationpulley rotatably supported in an upper portion of said awning frame, asecond operation pulley rotatably supported in a lower portion of saidawning frame to align with said first operation pulley, and a thirdoperation pulley rotatably supported in said upper portion of saidawning frame at a position below said first operation pulley, whereinsaid controlling element is guided to run among said first, second, andthird operation pulleys.
 17. The outdoor umbrella, as recited in claim4, wherein said pulley unit comprises a first operation pulley rotatablysupported in an upper portion of said awning frame, a second operationpulley rotatably supported in a lower portion of said awning frame toalign with said first operation pulley, and a third operation pulleyrotatably supported in said upper portion of said awning frame at aposition below said first operation pulley, wherein said controllingelement is guided to run among said first, second, and third operationpulleys.
 18. The outdoor umbrella, as recited in claim 17, wherein saidfirst and third operation pulleys are rotatably and spacedly supportedin said upper housing, wherein said second operation pulley is rotatablysupported in said lower housing, wherein said second end of saidcontrolling element is affixed to said lower housing, wherein a secondend portion of said controlling element is downwardly extended from saidfirst operation pulley at said upper housing to said second operationpulley at said lower housing and is then made a detour to return back tosaid upper housing, wherein said second end portion of said controllingis then upwardly extended to said third operation pulley at said upperhousing and is made a detour to return back to said lower housing toaffix said second end of said controlling element to said lower housing.19. The outdoor umbrella, as recited in claim 17, wherein said pulleyunit further comprises a plurality of guiding pulleys spacedly supportedin said umbrella frame to guide said controlling element beingdirectionally extended from said supporting frame to said awning frame.20. The outdoor umbrella, as recited in claim 18, wherein said pulleyunit further comprises a plurality of guiding pulleys spacedly supportedin said umbrella frame to guide said controlling element beingdirectionally extended from said supporting frame to said awning frame.21. The outdoor umbrella, as recited in claim 17, wherein said first,second, and third operation pulleys, and said guiding pulleys arestationary pulleys.
 22. The outdoor umbrella, as recited in claim 20,wherein said first, second, and third operation pulleys, and saidguiding pulleys are stationary pulleys.
 23. The outdoor umbrella, asrecited in claim 17, wherein a diameter of each of said first and secondpulleys is larger than a diameter of said third pulley, wherein saidfirst and second operation pulleys are aligned with each other.
 24. Theoutdoor umbrella, as recited in claim 22, wherein a diameter of each ofsaid first and second pulleys is larger than a diameter of said thirdpulley, wherein said first and second operation pulleys are aligned witheach other.
 25. The outdoor umbrella, as recited in claim 17, whereinsaid upper housing comprises an enlarged upper body which is supportingsaid first operation pulley thereat and is pivotally coupling saidawning arms, and a tubular lower body downwardly extended from saidupper body to support said third operation pulley at said lower body,wherein said lower housing has a lower housing compartment supportingsaid second operation pulley thereat and a retention socket upwardlyextended to align with said lower body of said upper housing, such thatwhen said lower housing is upwardly lifted to fold said awning frame atsaid opened position, a bottom portion of said lower body is biasedagainst said retention socket.
 26. The outdoor umbrella, as recited inclaim 24, wherein said upper housing comprises an enlarged upper bodywhich is supporting said first operation pulley thereat and is pivotallycoupling said awning arms, and a tubular lower body downwardly extendedfrom said upper body to support said third operation pulley at saidlower body, wherein said lower housing has a lower housing compartmentsupporting said second operation pulley thereat and a retention socketupwardly extended to align with said lower body of said upper housing,such that when said lower housing is upwardly lifted to fold said awningframe at said opened position, a bottom portion of said lower body isbiased against said retention socket.